Juan Hernandez started the racing week on Thursday at Santa Anita with a win in the Robert J. Frankel (G3) aboard Paradise Lake. He built on that success on Saturday piloting Explora to a win in the Santa Ynez and finished the week on Sunday with a win in the Las Cienegas (G3) on Queen Maxima. The panel of racing experts voted Hernandez Jockey of the Week for January 5-January 11.
The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild. Founded in 1940, the Guild represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
On Thursday, trainer Peter Eurton gave a leg up to Hernandez in the twice rescheduled Robert J. Frankel (G3) aboard 5-year-old mare Paradise Lake. Breaking from post position five in the field of eight, Paradise Lake raced in second stalking longshot Starry Night piloted by Ricky Gonzalez. Paradise Lake inched closer on the turn collaring the frontrunner at the top of the stretch. Starry Night fought back but Paradise Lake dug in prevailing by a nose in 1:50.72 for a mile and one-eighth on the turf.
"Around the stretch, when I smooched her the second time she took off," Hernandez said to Santa Anita publicity. "She was running. She showed up today."
On Saturday, Hernandez was aboard the filly Explora making her three-year-old debut in the Santa Ynez for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Off as the overwhelming favorite in the scratched-down field of four, Explora broke from post position four and was content to trail the small field. Hernandez bided his time until the turn, guiding Explora four-wide to reach the front with a furlong to go. With no challengers in sight, Explora won by a commanding 5-1/4 lengths in 1:22.05 for seven furlongs.
"She was travelling well and was waiting for the quarter pole to start making her move," said Hernandez. "She is a really smart filly. Bob told me that she was doing and feeling really good."
Hernandez capped the week aboard 5-year-old mare Queen Maxima for trainer Jeff Mullins in the Las Cienegas (G3). Off as the 2-5 favorite in the field of nine, Queen Maxima took up a stalking position in second behind Princess Moche with Mirco Demuro until turning into the stretch and passing the dirt crossing. Queen Maxima took the lead and won by one-half length in 1:11.69 for about 6-1/2 furlongs on The Downhill Turf Course.
"She is really good," said Hernandez. "She is really professional and we had a really good trip. She is so smart and knows where the wire is."
A nine-time leading jockey at Santa Anita, Hernandez is currently in first place tied with Umberto Rispoli through the first 11 days of racing.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Ricky Gonzalez who won the Las Flores (G3), Jose Ortiz with eight wins for the week including a stakes race at Fair Grounds, Hall of Famer Mike Smith who won the San Vicente (G2) and Edgard Zayas who recorded seven wins including a stakes race at Tampa Bay.
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